I have everything that I could wish for — happy family, friends, loving brothers and sisters. I can't wish for anything anymore because those things are already enough.

Everyone knows me by the name Maria Clara. They said that my name really suits me. They said I was just like the reincarnation of Maria Clara. I am someone without flaws like they always said.

I am a good daughter that everyone parents would wish to have. I always follow all of their wishes and wants. Ask permission if I needed something or have to go out with friends.

I am true friend. I have a lot of friends and treated them like my family. I am always there whenever they have a problem. I am there beside them whenever they needed a shoulder to lean on. I am always there — in happiness, sadness or any moment I am always there beside them.

I am a reliable sister. I would help you whenever you are having a hard time. I am like a friend that will keep your secrets.

I could not wish for anything anymore because everything I have are more than enough. I am happy and thankful for everything that I have right now.

But, Why? Why does this thing need to happen to me?

I was on my home when something happened to me, something that I never wish and would never wish to happen to me. I was walking on my to our house and it's already dark that time that's why I walked faster since there are few people outside their homes during this time. I came from school and was late because we practiced our presentation that we will present in one of our subjects.

As I was walking I passed by two guy. I set it aside and just continued walking so I could go home quickly and rest already. But I didn't expect what happened next. I thought they would just ignore but they followed me and walk side by side to me keeping with the speed of my walking. It was at that moment when I felt a sharp thing being pointed at my waist. They said if I shouted they would kill me.

I am trembling with fear that time. My tears started to fall when they pull me in a alley where there is a punctured light and there are no other people but just me and these two guys.

They touched me on the delicate parts of my body. I fought with them so I could escape from them. But my strength seems to be nothing compared to theirs. I cried and begged them not to continue what they were doing because it was wrong. But they seem to be deaf to my pleas. They are deaf to my grievances. I let out a scream hoping that someone could hear me and help me but what happened just hurt me. I'm trying to get them to hear the help I asked for, to save me from these two men but in the end I was the only one hurt. They ended up having fun with my body which I have been taking care of. I even heard them talking that they would kill me so that I could not report to the police. Police who did not even hear my pleading voice to rescue me from these men who were chasing me. While they were getting dressed I run until I can't anymore just to escape from them.

They chased me but I kept running until they could no longer catch up with me. They didn't catch up with me but the memories of that night still haunted me in my dreams. My life that was like a very good dream before had become a nightmare in just one night.

I came home with a whole body but broken into pieces inside. I told my family what had happened to me, I told them about what happen even though it hurts to remember everything that happened. Along with every word that's coming out of my mouth was my tears that keeps on falling out from my eyes..

I thought they would help me get the justice I deserve but it seems like I am wrong. Simultaneously with the crushing of my heart was something that became a big slap in the face to me of the truth. I thought that the life I had was perfect, but it was just a borrowed life after all.

I was only an adopted child in the family so they did not hesitate and chased me out of the house immediately because what happened to me was an embarrassment. They said that I look disgusting. I have gone to my friends hoping they will help me. I knocked on their doors but they all just knocked off their door on my face. I went to the precinct to file a case but because I looked unkempt no one even bat an eye on me. No one listened at all they just ignored me. I don't know who to ask for help anymore.

For a few months I went back and forth to my family, to my friends, and to the precinct hoping that they would listen to me but they just passed me by as if they didn't even noticed me.

If others used to think of me as Maria Clara, now I'm just a homeless person scattered on the road. Asking for alms so they can listen to my grievances.

I was walking when I walked by the alley where this nightmares all started. The alley that gave me a wound that I don't know if it will even heal.

I walk without any destination. Simultaneously with the dripping of my tears was the pouring rain as if the sky sympathized with how I feel now.

I don’t know how many hours I’ve been standing here on the side of the bridge I can barely count how many cars have passed by.

The rain had stopped but my tears were still falling as if there was no end to it. I don’t know if I can even stand back and face the people who hurt me. I just want to die and end this suffering of mine.

It’s hard but I have to be strong because it’s not just about me anymore. It is also about the child in my womb now. I need to be strong for the two of us.

Yes, I am pregnant

And I am a rape victim.

I organized myself and looked for a job so that I would have more supplies in each day that will come. I have to live for the child in my womb.

I tried to stand on my own two feet again without any help from others. Even though I was tired, I worked hard so that I could have a good home for my child. Now because of my hard work we have money to rent an apartment so that we can have shelter every time it rains. A home that could protect us even if it's just in in rains.

Even though I moved away from the place that hurt me, the nightmares that visited me night after night did not stop.

I worked hard to make sure I had money to support me and my child in the future. I have money to buy her food whenever she is hungry. I have money to buy clothes that she can wear whenever she gets cold. I have money to buy her medicine when she gets sick. I have money to buy her a toy. I had to work to meet her needs.

As soon as I give birth to her I will make her feel the care and the love she deserves. I will endure everything for her. I will say that she was a star who gave light to my dark world.

I will protect and take care of her to the best that I can. When she cries out and asked for help I would always come to let her know she was safe as long as I was here beside her.

I will never let her know the nightmare that happened to her mother. I will do everything so that she will not experience what I have experienced.

A few more months passed and it was already the month of my labor. It is only a matter of time and I will give birth to this child in this world. When that day comes I no longer know how I will protect her in the world that will only hurt her when the time comes.

The justice that she deserved was never given to her.

The people he expected to believe in her did not believe even though they knew she was telling the truth.

The people she once leaned on are deaf to the help she is asking from them. The people she expected to listen to her just turned their backs on her.

But what she did not know was that there was a witness who until now was consumed by conscience because he did not even help the woman he loved. He couldn't even help the only person who listened to him. He could not help Maria Clara who once defended him to those who judged him. The woman who stood beside him when he thought everyone had turned their backs on him.

It was never your fault what had happened to you, Maria Clara.

It was the people around you who are at fault because they didn’t listen to you. It is their fault that they did not help you when you asked for help. It is their fault that they have become cowards. It was wrong of them to watch be broken into pieces. That wouldn’t have happened if they had just been brave. They should have protected and save you but they didn't.

Sorry, Maria Clara.